Social Work
A certified social worker is an integral part of the multidisciplinary team, providing care coordination and case management for patients with acute rehabilitative or restorative needs.
The social worker role at Benedictine Hospital includes:
- Initial and ongoing psychosocial assessments
- Coordination and authorization of benefits with the insurance case managers
- Referrals for home health care (RN and home health/ personal care aide services)
- Referrals for home and outpatient therapies (physical, occupational, speech)
- Referrals for community services (i.e. stroke support group, Office for the Aging, Meals-on-Wheels, county social services, loan closets for used durable medical equipment (DME), medical supply companies for insurance covered by DME, and transportation)
- Referrals for residential care (adult residencies, adult care facilities, assisted living programs, sub-acute rehabilitation programs, long term care skilled nursing facilities)
- Scheduling of home evaluations with the patient and family for the physical and occupational therapists
- Arrangement for family conferences (on the unit or by teleconference for long distance family members)
- Education for the patient and family, centering around negotiating the many community/social services systems
- Counseling sessions for emotional/psychosocial support and teaching of stress reduction/relaxation/pain management techniques to augment the restoration of their physical healing and general wellness
For further information about social work at Benedictine Hospital,
please contact Vivian Biggs, CSW-R. 845-334-4808
